Bertuzzi, 38, has a ton of playoff experience, but the Wings can only bank on so much from a guy who hasn't played for nearly three months because of back pain and nerve pain in his right leg. Bertuzzi wasn't even cleared to play until last week.

"When he plays well, he's a big man with good hands," Babcock said. "We need him to take care of the puck and be on the forecheck and grind down low. He hasn't played all year. It's going to be a tough thing for him, no question about it. He's got to help us."

Babcock plans on playing Bertuzzi with Cory Emmerton and Patrick Eaves on the team's fourth line. It's not going to be easy for a 30-something to keep his legs warm playing so little, but Bertuzzi is nothing if not a gamer.

"I'm looking forward to helping the guys," he said. "We need to tie this back up."